Staff Engineer, Maritime Autonomy & Multi-Agent Systems

AI Chopping Block; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Engineer to lead the technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities for USVs, UUVs, and cooperative UAVs. You’ll blend control theory with optimization and drive execution across development teams.

You will work across perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and operational test to ensure seamless integration of autonomy solutions on real-world platforms, with travel to various site locations expected.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• Proficiency in C++ and Python; RTOS familiarity
• Background in robotics, motion planning, autonomy or related fields
• Experience with unmanned systems and related algorithms (space domain a plus)
• Experience with simulation tools (AFSIM, NGTS) and testing

Responsibilities

• Lead autonomy capability delivery across complex programs and multi-agent contexts
• Blend traditional control systems with optimization and ML approaches
• Develop scalable software with clear interfaces and TRL insertions
• Collaborate with perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and OT teams
• Support integration events, demos, and mission-log analysis
• Contribute to autonomy roadmaps and prototyping new algorithms
• Travel approximately 25% of the year to sites and customer locations

Skills

C++

Python

RTOS

Robotics

Unmanned systems

Simulation tools

Clearance: SECRET

Education

BS in CS/EE/ME

Tools

AFSIM

NGTS

Job description

Shield AI is seeking a Staff Engineer to lead the technical delivery of complex autonomy capabilities for USVs, UUVs, and cooperative UAVs. You’ll blend control theory with optimization and drive execution across development teams.

You will work across perception, planning, simulation, hardware, and operational test to ensure seamless integration of autonomy solutions on real-world platforms, with travel to various site locations expected.